Early Life & Formation (1985–2002)

• October 1985: Matthew Gregory Farwell and his twin brother, William T. Farwell, were born in Norwood, Massachusetts, to Eleanor Farwell and William L. Farwell Sr.
• Raised in Stoughton, MA, both brothers showed early interest in policing, partly influenced by local officers.
• 1998 (age 12): Matthew and William joined the Stoughton Police Youth Program, a precursor to their deeper involvement in law enforcement.
• Stoughton High School: Matthew attended but struggled with attendance issues and was suspended. He dropped out in 11th grade.- 

Education & Military Service (2002–2008)

• 2001: Officer Robert Devine was assigned as a school resource officer and began volunteering with the Stoughton Police Explorers Program.
• 2002: Former Chief Manuel Cachopa ordered Devine to formally run the Explorers Program.
• 2002 (age 16): Matthew and William Farwell were caught impersonating police officers and pulling over vehicles. Devine was aware of this and remained close to them as program head.
• Despite this misconduct, the brothers remained connected to the program.
• 2004: Matthew earned a high school equivalency diploma in Maine.

Military Service (2004–2008)

• Enlisted in the U.S. Army, trained as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician.
• 2006: Deployed to Afghanistan for six months.
• 2008: Discharged from the Army and returned to Massachusetts.

Law Enforcement Career & Return to Explorers (2008–2012)

• 2008: Hired by the Wellesley Police Department.
• 2008–2012: Served as a patrol officer. Earned commendations, including one for performing CPR on a collapsed gym patron in 2012.
• 2010: Matthew (then with Wellesley PD) and William (in the Army) returned as guest instructors in the Stoughton Police Explorers Program, at the invitation of Robert Devine.
• March 2010: Sandra Birchmore, then age 12, applied to join the Explorers. She was initially placed on a waiting list.
• Spring 2010: Sandra began participating in the Explorers Program.

Grooming & Abuse Allegations

• September 2011 – June 2012: Farwell volunteered regularly with the Explorers Program.
• March 27, 2012: Matthew was officially hired by the Stoughton Police Department, then served as an instructor in the Explorer program under Devine’s watch.
• 2012 Began communicating online with Sandra Birchmore in 2012, initially as academic tutoring when she was 15 and he was 26. 
• April 10, 2013: Allegedly began a sexual relationship with Sandra when she was 15; he was 27), violating statutory rape laws under Massachusetts statute
• Relationship continued through adulthood. Prosecutors say he met her while on duty and monitored her via his cell phone. Allegedly participated in controlling and coercive behavior: including introducing choking during sex, insulting her grades, and using punishment erotica
• May 11, 2013: He married shortly after.
• In October 2020, she became pregnant and believed he was the father. They allegedly agreed on unprotected sex in a pact for secrecy .

Pregnancy & Death of Sandra Birchmore (2020–2021)

• October 2020: Sandra became pregnant and believed Matthew was the father
• February 1, 2021: Farwell visited Sandra’s apartment around 9 p.m., stayed ~30 minutes, and later billed that time as official work hours
• February 4, 2021 Sandra’s body was discovered—found hanged with a luggage strap—but initially ruled a suicide by asphyxia by the state medical examiner. Surveillance data, health analytics, and phone logs indicate she died the night of February 1, and that Farwell was the last person present .

Internal & Civil Investigations

• 2021: Stoughton PD began internal investigation into misconduct: Matthew, William, and Devine.
• September 2022: Stoughton PD internal affairs concluded that he, his twin William, and supervisor Robert Devine had inappropriate relationships with a vulnerable young woman
• December 2022: Birchmore’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit naming Matthew, William, and Devine (along with the Town and PD)
• Expert reviews (e.g., Dr. Michael Baden in June 2024) determined Birchmore’s death resulted from homicidal strangulation, contradicting the initial ruling

Murder & Indictment (2021–2024)

• August 28, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted him for:
• Killing a victim to prevent disclosure of his crimes under 18 U.S.C. 1512(a)(1)(C),
• Coercion/enticement of a minor (18 U.S.C. 2422(b)),
• Deprivation of rights under color of law (18 U.S.C. 242),
• Fraud (wire fraud) for lying about work hours to have intimate meetings with Birchmore while on duty
• He pleaded not guilty in federal court and remains detained, possibly facing life or death penalty

Supporting Evidence

• 32,000+ text messages exchanged between Matthew and Sandra (2019–2021).
• Expert testimony from Dr. Michael Baden (2024), concluding Sandra died from manual strangulation, not suicide.
• Surveillance footage, call logs, digital tracking data, and forensic reports contradicting suicide scenario.

DNA Testing Results

• June 2025: Prosecutors revealed that DNA testing had been completed on fetal remains recovered during Sandra Birchmore’s autopsy.

Results: Matthew Farwell was not the biological father. (unconfirmed)

This finding was based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis comparing Farwell’s genetic material to that of the fetus. The identity of the actual biological father has not been publicly disclosed.

March 2017 – William Farwell, the twin brother of Matthew Farwell, becomes a Stoughton police officer.

April 10, 2020 Matthew Farwell texts Birchmore, “I’m going to sneak away from work quick.” It is part of an alleged pattern where Farwell would shirk his police duties while on the clock to meet up with Birchmore.

Oct. 5, 2020 In text message Joshua Heal told Sandra Birchmore that Matthew Farwell’s wife was pregnant with the couple’s third child and that the baby was due in February 2021. Sandra Birchmore had not known of this fact and “seemed a little upset about it.” She did not know because Mr. Farwell had not told her that his wife was expecting their third child.

Sandra Birchmore responded that she was going to tell Matthew Farwell’s wife that he had been having sex with her (Birchmore) for nearly ten years. The same day Sandra drafted a message to Matthew Farwell wife, she sent a copy to Joshua Heall

“I am just messaging to inform you that your husband Matthew has been out cheating on you since before you guys were even married.”. 

October 13, 2020: Farwell and Birchmore have an argument about the nature of their agreement. Farwell states that their compromise was to try to conceive a child once. Birchmore disagrees. 

Nov. 5, 2020: Birchmore texts Farwell.

Birchmore: “How would you feel about us having a baby, you being there AND signing the birth certificate (theres never gonna be a need for your information anyway so youll be safe there) and I wont talk s—t about her or your kids. That way we both get what we want. 

“You asked me the other day what I wanted and I didn’t want to give it to you in the form of an ultimatum so I am trying to do it with you as a compromise type of thing Can you tell me what you thought of?

“I’m down for discussing it in person but the more I thought about it you signing it really isn’t going to have an impact on you cause of the way things are going to fall in the future.”

Farwell: “ok that’s an in person discussion”

November 24, 2020 Birchmore asks Farwell if he would be on duty when the two are scheduled to meet. Farwell responds by texting her, “Yes I will be on the clock.”

December 29, 2020 Farwell and Birchmore meet to talk in person. Afterwards, Birchmore sends Farwell a text indicating that there was an altercation. 

Birchmore: “it made me really uncomfortable and stressed out and scared when you were next to me because I thought you were gonna hit me after you said what you said and took things out of my hand. That’s why I was crying. I know you wouldn’t but it still scared me.”

Birchmore calls another person, telling them that after Farwell learned about the baby, he told her that he “wished [she] just would die and he wants nothing to do with the baby.” Birchmore also tells this person that Farwell put her in a headlock and grabbed her cell phone from her hand. The person tells Birchmore to distance herself from Farwell. 

January 16 2021 Birchmore tells a friend that after Farwell learned about the baby, he told her that he “wished [she] just would die and he wants nothing to do with the baby.” Birchmore also tells this person that Farwell put her in a headlock and grabbed her cell phone from her hand. The person tells Birchmore to distance herself from Farwell.

January 20, 2021: Sandra’s friend she confided in calls Stoughton police because she was angry Sandra owned her money, and references the sexual relationship between Birchmore and Farwell. The Stoughton police employee who received the call takes down the caller’s name and gives it to Farwell. Farwell immediately gets angry and instructs the colleague “not to speak about this to anyone and to never talk about it again.”

After learning about the call, Farwell sends Birchmore a series of angry texts.

Farwell: “Dude your f—king friend called my job Sandra wtf”

Farwell: “I literally can’t believe this is even real life like what else do I have to worry about now? Which other friend will do something tomorrow?”

January 23, 2021 Farwell came over and exhibited a change in demeanor. Farwell brought Sandra a ginger ale, asked for a key, and looked around the closet and bathroom in Birchmore’s apartment.

January 24, 2021 Sandra makes a copy of the key for her Apartment and She tells Farwell that she has his key and gives him the passcode to her building’s front door. 

January 29, 2021 Farwell verifies that the code is the general one given to the entire building, not specifically one assigned to her. 

January 30, 2021: Birchmore asks Farwell if she can tell him some of the baby names that she is considering. Farwell says that he would rather discuss that in person. 

February 1, 2021 (Monday)

• Matthew Farwell visits Sandra Birchmore’s apartment in Canton.
• He claims he asked to come over, she agreed, and his intention was to end their relationship.
• Farwell tells Sandra she is “crazy,” and that the baby is not his.
• He says he is blocking her on all forms of communication.
• Surveillance footage shows Farwell entering the building and leaving 28 minutes later.
• Farwell later tells police Sandra did not make suicidal statements during their argument.
• According to Farwell, Sandra was standing in the kitchen when he left.

February 4, 2021 (Thursday)

• Sandra Birchmore fails to show up for work.
• A colleague contacts police to request a wellness check.
• Canton police find Birchmore deceased in a reclined position on the floor with a duffel bag strap (note: reports vary) around her neck, tied to a closet doorknob—the same closet previously inspected by Farwell.
• First responders determine Birchmore had been dead for days and was still wearing the clothes from February 1.
• Her body is transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

[Undated – Within Days After Death]

• Birchmore’s family helps clean out her apartment.
• They discover she was in the middle of doing laundry.
• They find a handmade sign reading “Congratulations you’re going to be a father,” decorated with glitter and an ultrasound photo.
• A new baby stroller and other recently delivered baby items are found.

February 6, 2021 (Saturday)

• Matthew Farwell is interviewed by State Police.
• He admits to a sexual relationship with Sandra that began in early 2020.
• Claims they had sex 2–3 times, last time being end of October 2020.
• States Sandra told him in December 2020 she was pregnant and claimed he was the father.
• Farwell says the timeline doesn’t align and insists he is not the father.

February 9, 2021 (Tuesday)

• Farwell gives State Police detectives consent to search his personal cell phone.
• He uses his department-issued phone to search whether deleted messages can be recovered.
• Evidence shows Farwell had repeatedly told Birchmore to delete their text conversations.

February 11, 2021 (Thursday)

• William Farwell (Matthew’s brother) admits in a police interview that he also had a sexual relationship with Birchmore, most recently in 2020.
• He says Sandra told him she was pregnant and claimed Matthew was the father.

February 24, 2021

• Matthew Farwell is placed on paid administrative leave from the Stoughton Police Department.
• During this time, he obtains a commercial driver’s license and forms DMJ Transportation LLC, a trucking business headquartered at his home in Easton, MA.

April 1, 2022

• William Farwell resigns from the Stoughton Police Department.
• In his resignation letter, he denies all misconduct allegations.

September 23, 2022

• At a press conference, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara states:
• “All three men, the Farwell brothers and Devine, violated an oath of office and should never have the privilege of serving any community as a police officer. Through a sustained and deliberate combination of lies, deceit, and treachery, they violated the policies and the core values of the Stoughton Police Department — not to mention human decency.”

November 22, 2022

• The POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Commission authorizes a preliminary inquiry into misconduct allegations against Matthew Farwell.

April 1, 2023 (Corrected from March 21, 2023)

• POST Commission votes to decertify Matthew Farwell.

June 30, 2023

• POST Division submits its preliminary inquiry report to the Commission.

July 12, 2023

• POST Commission votes to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Matthew Farwell.

February 29, 2024

• Farwell signs an agreement stating he will no longer work in law enforcement in Massachusetts and will be entered into the National Decertification Index (NDI).
• He does not admit to the truth of any allegations.

March 21, 2024

• Official Order of Decertification is signed by Margaret R. Hinkle.
• Effective Decertification Date: March 21, 2023 (retroactive).
• Farwell is added to the NDI, prohibiting employment in law enforcement nationwide.

June 18, 2024

• Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden rules Sandra Birchmore’s death a homicide by strangulation, contradicting the Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s original findings.

August 2024

• Matthew Farwell is arrested and indicted for the murder of Sandra Birchmore.
• Prosecutors allege Farwell strangled Birchmore and staged the scene to resemble a suicide.
• Prosecutor’s statement:
• “When it became clear to Mr. Farwell that he could no longer control Sandra Birchmore, he silenced her. Permanently.”

Detective Matthew Farwell Charged in Sandra Birchmore’s Death

February 1, 2021 Matthew Farwell killed Sandra Birchmore by strangulation, shortly after Farwell Staged Sandra Birchmore apartment to make it appear she committed suicide

Detective Matthew Farwell has been charged in connection with the death of Sandra Birchmore. He is accused of killing Birchmore “with malice aforethought, willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation” to prevent her from providing information to law enforcement regarding potential federal crimes. According to the indictment, the possible charges Farwell could have faced include deprivation of Birchmore’s rights, coercion and enticement, and wire fraud. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Ms. Birchmore’s death was not a sudden or isolated tragedy but the devastating culmination of nearly a decade of manipulation, grooming, and repeated assaults by police officers she once trusted. Her early years were marked by the profound loss of her grandmother and mother, leaving her vulnerable and struggling to find her way. Despite the hardships, she admired authority figures, particularly police officers, viewing them as protectors and guides. This admiration led her to join the Stoughton Police Department Explorers Program as a teenager, where she met Defendants Devine, M. Farwell, and W. Farwell.

Defendant Devine, who led the Program, along with the Farwell twins, who served as officers and educators, were initially seen by Ms. Birchmore as mentors. However, beneath this facade of mentorship lay a dark and exploitative reality. The police department’s internal investigation would later reveal that Defendants W. Farwell and Devine had engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with Ms. Birchmore, taking advantage of their positions to repeatedly assault her while on duty. The investigation further uncovered that all three officers, including M. Farwell, manipulated and abused Ms. Birchmore, exploiting her trust and vulnerability.

Robert Devine, in particular, played a pivotal role in this disturbing narrative, mentoring the Farwell brothers in how to use their authority to prey on minors within the Explorers Program and on Ms. Birchmore herself.  Matthew Farwell Indictment

Records